Best Ways To > 35 Great Ways To Use Ultimate Rewards Points For Business Class

35 Great Ways To Use Ultimate Rewards Points For Business Class

35 Great Ways To Use Ultimate Rewards Points For Business Class
By Spencer Howard | Updated on May 30, 2023

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For many, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are the entry point in the world of miles and points. With 11 airline transfer partners, there are a bunch of great ways to redeem your Ultimate Rewards points for business class flights. You might even want to redeem points via the Chase Travel Portal.

Now, let’s get into it!

How to Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards Points With Credit Cards

Chase has several credit cards - both personal and business - which earn Ultimate Rewards points and offer lucrative bonus categories to earn points even faster. Plus, many of them come with sign-up bonuses that offer a quick injection of points.

The key is that you need a card that earns Ultimate Rewards and has an annual fee - the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred Card. If you have one of these, you can pair any of the no annual fee Freedom or Ink cards and turn their cashback into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points.

Aer Lingus AerClub
Aer Lingus Business Class to Ireland

You can book Aer Lingus business class one-way for 50,000 Avios on select routes on off-peak dates (2022 & 2023 dates). You’ll want to book via Avios.com rather than the British Airways site to avoid steep surcharges.

Aer Lingus operates nonstop flights to Dublin (DUB) from Boston (BOS), Chicago-O’Hare (ORD), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Philadelphia (PHL), Toronto (YYZ), and Washington Dulles (IAD).

Additionally, they operate flights From BOS and JFK to Shannon (SNN) as well as JFK to Manchester (MAN) in the UK. To avoid the Air Passenger Duty (APD) fee on flights departing most UK airports, don’t book this from MAN to JFK.

Air Canada Aeroplan
Star Alliance Business Class to Europe from 60,000 Points

Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is a great option for booking business class on Star Alliance partners from the east coast and central US. Several one-way nonstop options will only require 60,000 Aeroplan points while many others will only require 70,000 points.

Even better, you can use Aeroplan points to book Singapore Airlines business class, including Singapore’s two fifth freedom routes to Europe: JFK to Frankfurt and Houston to Manchester. No other Star Alliance partner is allowed to book Singapore business class awards.

Aeroplan doesn’t pass on surcharges so you’ll keep the taxes/fees to a minimum. Additionally, you can include a stopover on a one-way award for an additional 5,000 points.

To book at the 60,000-mile rate, your total flight distance can be no more than 4,000 flight miles. For the 70,000-mile rate, your flight distance must be 4,001 to 6,000 flight miles. Please refer to Aeroplan’s award chart as it includes both a region-based and distance-based component.

Star Alliance Business Class to Africa from 70,000 Points

From the east coast, you can book business class to places such as Egypt via Europe on Star Alliance partners for 70,000 Aeroplan points one-way. If you exceed 6,000 flight miles, the award rate will jump to 90,000 points.

For example, you could fly to places such as Ghana or Kenya for 90,000 points one-way.

Star Alliance Business Class to India from 90,000 Points

From the east coast, you can book business class to India via Europe for 90,000 Aeroplan points one-way. Destinations further south in India such as Mumbai and Goa will bump the rate up to 110,000 points one-way so you might prefer to book a separate cash ticket from Delhi.

Star Alliance Business Class to Southeast Asia from 87,500 points

Whether you’re flying Etihad via Abu Dhabi or a Star Alliance carrier such as EVA Air to a destination in Southeast Asia, you can book for 87,500 Aeroplan points. If your total flight distance exceeds 11,000 flight miles, you’ll need 115,000 points. Plus, Aeroplan is allowed to book Singapore Airlines business class while other Star Alliance programs cannot.

Star Alliance Business Class to North Asia from 75,000 points

A big advantage of using Aeroplan is that you can avoid surcharges and thus keep the total taxes/fees to a minimum. At 75,000 points for a one-way business class award ticket to destinations such as Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, Aeroplan is a great option.

If you happen to book a non-stop between Seattle and Tokyo, you’ll only need 55,000 Aeroplan points. It’s a niche option, but a fun sweet spot if it fits your travel plans!

Etihad Business Class to Abu Dhabi for 90,000 points

If you want to visit Abu Dhabi, Dubai, or Oman, you can book Etihad business class for 90,000 Aeroplan points. If you exceed 8,000 total flight miles, the rate will increase to 110,000 points.

Star Alliance Business Class to South America from 60,000 points

While it can be tough to find business class award space on aircraft with lie-flat seats, you can book a one-way award for 60,000 Aeroplan points if the flight distance is 4,501+ flight miles. If your flight distance is 2,501 to 4,500 miles, you’ll only need 50,000 points.

Star Alliance Business Class to Australia or New Zealand from 90,000 points

If you can keep your total flight distance to no more than 11,000 flight miles, you can book business class for 90,000 Aeroplan points one-way. This will only work on select routes starting from the west coast.

Air France-KLM Flying Blue
Air France & KLM Business Class to Europe from 55,000 Miles

Flying Blue sets saver level award rates based on origin and destination. You can find business class awards between a bunch of US/EU city pairs for only 55,000 miles one-way. The surcharges make the taxes/fees a bit steep at ~$250-300 one-way but you can always use another program to book the other direction if you want to keep cash costs lower.

Flying Blue Promo Awards, Up to 50% Off Air France and KLM Business Class

Every month, Flying Blue runs Promo Awards from select cities. While business class Promo Rewards from North American cities aren’t common, they are fantastic opportunities to book when they do release them.

At 25% off, you can take that 55,000-mile award rate and drop it to 41,250 miles. At 50% off, you’d only need 27,500 miles which is absolutely wild. The taxes/fees won’t be discounted.

China Airlines Business Class to Taipei from 82,500 Miles

China Airlines is rarely discussed but it can be a great way to fly non-stop from North America to Taipei. Flying Blue offers the best way to book at 82,500 miles one-way from Vancouver. From west coast airports in the US, the non-stop can be booked for as few as 90,500 points

Virgin Atlantic Upper Class to London from 64,000 Miles

While you could book Virgin Atlantic Upper Class with Virgin points, you’d be on the hook for some insane surcharges. Fortunately, Flying Blue doesn’t pass on all of the surcharges so you can book a non-stop one-way business class award to London for 64,000 miles + $190 taxes/fees. The UK’s APD fee will increase the taxes/fees if you fly out of London.

The number of points you need tends to increase the longer the route you fly.

British Airways Executive Club
Qatar Airways Qsuites to the Middle East from 70,000 Avios

Qatar Airways Qsuites is generally considered to be one of the top two business class products in the sky. You can book a non-stop to/from Doha for only 70,000 Avios one-way. If you want to connect within the Middle East, the rate will increase to 75,000 or 80,000 Avios.

Qatar Airways Qsuites to Southeast Asia for 95,000 Avios

For Qsuites to Southeast Asia, you’ll want to create a Qatar Privilege Club account in addition to your BA Executive Club account. By linking the accounts, you can move Avios between the two accounts.

Sometimes, you’ll find Qsuites awards with connections require fewer Avios via Qatar’s own program rather than via British Airways. At 95,000 Qatar Avios one-way to Southeast Asia, this extra step is worth it!

Iberia Business Class to Madrid from 34,000 Avios

A perennial favorite among points enthusiasts is Iberia business class one-way to Madrid for only 34,000 Avios. To get this rate, there are two things you need to remember.

First, you need to find award space on off-peak dates as peak dates require 50,000 Avios one-way (still a solid option). Fortunately, Iberia provides a calendar showing which dates are off-peak and peak.

Second, you’ll need to book a non-stop from Boston, Chicago, New York-JFK, or Washington Dulles to get this rate. Iberia and BA use distance-based award charts, so other routes from the US and itineraries with connections will require more Avios.

Royal Air Maroc Business Class to Casablanca from 60,000 Avios

Another fun non-stop option from the east coast is Royal Air Maroc to Casablanca for 60,000 Avios one-way. It’s a great way to get to Morocco and from there you can continue to other cities such as Marrakech and Fez.

Japan Airlines Business Class from the West Coast for 77,250 Avios

From Los Angeles and San Francisco, you can book Japan Airlines business class nonstop to Tokyo for 77,250 Avios one-way. Considering the quality of service in JAL business class, you won’t be disappointed.

Upgrade to British Airways Business Class

Unlike many programs, British Airways Avios are actually better for upgrading premium economy flights on British Airways than booking business class award tickets outright. This is because British Airways tacks on steep surcharges which make the taxes/fees as nearly as much as a cash ticket.

If you can find a good premium economy fare deal and you also see business class award space, you could use fewer points and save some cash.

Emirates Skywards
Emirates Business Class New York to Milan for 108,000 Miles Round-trip

Emirates jacked up their surcharges on routes between the US and Dubai in 2022 but, fortunately, they left the fifth freedom routes to Europe alone. A round-trip business class award between JFK and Milan requires 108,000 miles one-way and the taxes/fees are only ~$250.

Unfortunately, a one-way business class award ticket is 87,000 Emirates miles.

Emirates also operates a flight between Newark and Athens but the business class cabin on their Boeing 777-300 is arranged in a subpar 2-3-2 layout. Depending on your options, this might work for you but just keep that in mind.

JAL Business Class from Seattle for 76,000 Miles

It’s not a big difference, but you can save a thousand points on a one-way award by booking JAL business class from Seattle to Tokyo with Emirates miles rather than British Airways Avios.

Korean Air Business Class West Coast to Seoul for 88,000 Miles

Korean Air business class isn’t the easiest award to book for a reasonable number of miles but Emirates Skywards is a solid option at 88,000 miles one-way.

Singapore KrisFlyer
Singapore Airlines Business Class To Europe for 81,000 Miles

Now that Aeroplan has access to Singapore Air business class award space, KrisFlyer isn’t the only option if you have Ultimate Rewards points. However, KrisFlyer sometimes gets access to more award space than Aeroplan and, in such cases, 81,000 miles is a solid way to book business class on Singapore’s fifth freedom routes between JFK and Frankfurt or Houston and Manchester.

Singapore KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes

Similar to how Flying Blue has Promo Rewards for select routes on Air France and KLM, KrisFlyer has Spontaneous Escapes on select Singapore Air flights. If you’re willing to travel in the monthly immediately following when you book and a route is on the current month’s promo list, you can save 30% off the award rate.

For example, rather than needing 81,000 KrisFlyer miles from JFK to Frankfurt, you’d only need 56,700 miles during a promo.

United MileagePlus
United Polaris Business Class to Europe for 80,000 Miles

United’s recent devaluation of award rates on partner airlines really hurt. However, if you’re booking a non-stop business class award to Europe on United, 80,000 miles one-way is a solid way to book. Plus, United sometimes releases additional business class award space to its own United MileagePlus members.

United Polaris Business Class to Australia for 80,000 Miles

It’s rare to find business class space on a non-stop top Australia but, when you do, United miles are a great way to book United Polaris (business class).

United Polaris Business Class to Tahiti for 70,000 Miles

If it’s tough to find business class award space to Australia, it might be even tough to find space to Tahiti. With so few flight options between the US and Tahiti, jump on the chance to use 70,000 United miles for a one-way business class award. Just make sure you can find United space (or another option) for the flight back to the states!

United Polaris Business Class to South Africa for 70,000 Miles

Always a popular option, a non-stop on United to South Africa is one you should book quickly if you see business class award space as it’s a rare find. At 70,000 United miles, it’s a great way to book.

United Polaris Business Class to Israel for 75,000 Miles

There are a few non-stop routes to Israel on United and 75,000 United miles is a great way to book. The tough part is finding saver level award space.

United Polaris Business Class to India for 75,000 Miles

Similar to Israel, United operates a few non-stop flights to India at 75,000 miles for a one-way business class ticket. As with flights to Israel, the challenge is finding saver level award space.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
ANA Business Class Nonstop to Japan from 45,000 Points

Regardless of route, ANA provides a very nice business class experience. At 45,000 Virgin points for a non-stop one-way ticket to Tokyo, this is an amazing deal. If you can find award space on an ANA flight with their new business class (“The Room”), that will really take things to the next level.

Delta One Suites Nonstop to Europe for 50,000 Points

Delta SkyMiles might be notorious for its poor award rates but Virgin points provide a great way to book Delta One non-stop between the US and Europe. Naturally, you’ll want to see if you can find a route operated by one of Delta’s Airbus A350s such as Detroit to Amsterdam so you can try their newest product, Delta One Suites.

Air New Zealand Nonstop to New Zealand for 62,500 Points

Another tough one as Air New Zealand business class award space but absolutely worth booking. For a one-way business class award ticket at 62,500 points, this is a great option for a trip to New Zealand.

Air France and KLM to Europe from 48,500 Points

Typically, Virgin requires additional points to include a connecting flight. However, if you book Air France or KLM, you can include a connection for no extra points. The key to getting the best rate is to fly on off-peak dates from the east coast.

If you fly between the east coast (and airports in the Central US) and Western Europe, you can book a one-way business class award ticket for 48,500 points.

Chase Travel Portal
Business Class Fare Deals via the Chase Travel Portal

Before you transfer Ultimate Rewards points, make sure you check the Chase Travel Portal. In the travel portal, you’ll see cash fares that you can book with points.

If you have the Sapphire Reserve, your points are worth 1.5 cents per point in the portal. If you have the Sapphire Preferred or Ink Preferred, your points are worth 1.25 cents per point.

If a business class deal is cheap enough, you could end up using fewer points booking through the portal than if you transferred to an airline partner to book an award.

These bookings have the added bonus of allowing you to cover the entire cost with points while you’re still on the hook for taxes/fees on award tickets. Plus, you can earn redeemable airline miles since these are cash tickets.

Final Thoughts

When you factor in the many ways you can earn Ultimate Rewards points with credit cards and the many airline transfer partners, it’s no surprise that many consider Chase points to be some of the most valuable on the market. Once you have the points for a business class ticket, it’s just a matter of figuring out where you want to go.

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